St. Paul's Episcopal Church

By Lori Morris

Michael Peterman was born on April 23, 1964. His father —my brother — and his mother were both barely 18 years old. at the time.  Soon after Michael's birth, his father enlisted in the Army,  having very few options to support his young family.  After a few years in Germany, he was sent to Viet Nam where he was wounded and changed forever.  For so many reasons, the marriage of Michael's parents did not survive.  In the years that followed, Michael had no contact with his father. His mother married a man who became an alcoholic and who was cruel and abusive to my nephew.  At the age of 12, Michael was forced to get a job. Still a child, he had to buy  his own clothes and take responsibility for all of his needs.

On June 24, 2009, Tiffany and I traveled to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to witness the Change of Command  for Michael —  Colonel Michael Paul Peterman.  Michael's father and mother were there, as well.

Michael was being installed as the commander of the 101st Airborne Division of the Army, also known as "The Screaming Eagles.”  He had spent a year in Washington, D.C., in preparation for this command.  His training covered everything from the most sophisticated military strategies to the finer art of ballroom dancing.  He was given one of the highest security classifications in the military and at age 46, he is one of the youngest colonels in the Army to be given such a command. 

In his early years, Michael and I had grown very close, even though I was teenager 11 years his senior. Michael spent a great deal of time with me because he had no one else. We rode around in cars,  dragged the boulevard, he accompanied me on dates, and when I left for college, spent weekends at my dorm. I didn't know it at the time, but Michael had drawn strength from his extended family and reached out to me in the midst of all the misery and pain in his young life. My mother became ill during this time, and Michael and I came to form a family of love and mutual caring.

When Tiffany and I arrived at the base, we were met and escorted to our lodgings. At 10 the next morning, we were taken to the parade field for the ceremony and shown to our seats — front row, under a canopy shaded from the hot Kentucky sun.  Each seat was labeled with the Screaming Eagles seal and the guests' names.  The ceremony, which began with the retiring commander reviewing the troops with the incoming commander, was rich with history, military ritual, and patriotism.  There was the flag ceremony and the recognition of Michael's darling wife, Kathy, and his two sons, Clyde and Mike, one of whom is autistic. Michael delivered  an impressive speech before taking command and standing alone before his troops.  Each company marched past him with an “Eyes Right!” salute to their new commander.

It was at that moment,, watching  soldier after soldier salute Col. Peterman that I realized my sweet, little nephew had come to this place and this time because of his faith, his character, and his determination. I was proud and filled with love. Despite his troubled youth, Michael became student body president of his high school, worked his way through college, graduated with honors and enlisted in the Army — his life's dream — as an officer. Michael is not only a kind and considerate husband, but also a loving and totally involved father.

On that beautiful June day, I saw a man who had learned to stand alone, and who draws others near to him. I thank God for the strength and love that helped this exceptional man succeed and all me to be part of his life.